Richard Chauvel

West Papuan independence activists surprised many in September when they delivered a petition to the UN signed by 1.8 million Papuans and Indonesian settlers. Dr Richard Chauvel writes that while this petition may not get far, so long as Indonesia fails to address rights abuses by the security forces, the issue will continue to be raised at the international level.

Last month, a photo circulated on social media showing a very uncomfortable Papua Governor Lukas Enembe meeting with senior security officials in Jakarta. Dr Richard Chauvel unpacks the meeting and looks at the tensions between Jakarta and Papua approaching the 2018 regional head and 2019 presidential elections.

Papuan independence leader Filep Karma was released from prison last Thursday, after serving more than 10 years behind bars for treason. Does his release indicate a commitment by the government to resolve the conflict in the province, and how will it affect efforts to promote dialogue? Dr Richard Chauvel reports.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s decision to grant observer status to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMPB) means that for the first time, West Papuans and Indonesians will be sitting at the same table in an international forum. Dr Richard Chauvel looks at the impact of the move in the final post of his three part series on Papua. Photo by Stefan Armbruster/SBS World News.